IFDC Hub
IFDC Hub is a repository platform that enables the organisation to:
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- open up this content to local and global audiences.
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Evaluation of Sugarcane Bagasse Biochar on Soybean Production under Different Irrigation Regimes
(2023-11)
Conversion of agricultural wastes to biochar and reapplying back to agricultural lands creates a circular economy and has potential to improve crop yields and carbon sequestration. This two-year study was conducted at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Bossier from 2022 to 2023. The objectives were to: 1) determine optimum application rates of the Sugarcane Bagasse biochar on soybean production and 2) quantify irrigation effects on biochar application rates in soybean production. Biochar application rates are 0, 0.56, 1.12, 2.24, 4.48, and 11.2 Mg ha-1. These biochar application rates were evaluated under irrigated (furrow) and non-irrigated (rainfed) conditions. Plant parameters measured are germination rate, stand counts, plant biomass and grain yield. Soil moisture data was also collected before and after irrigation. Our results show that biochar application did not affect soybean germination rate and stand count for both years. In the year 2022, biochar increased soybean grain yield by 2 to 23% compared to the control under non-irrigated condition while no yield difference was observed under irrigated condition. In the year 2023, biochar improved soybean grain yield in both irrigated and non-irrigated conditions by 4 to 11% and 7.2 to 22.3% respectively compared to the control. Biochar influence on soybean grain yield in both irrigated and non-irrigated conditions varied in the two years of this study. There was no consistent influence of biochar on soil moisture at both 0-15cm and 15-30cm soil depth.
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Is Seed Aid Distribution Still Justified in South Sudan?
(2024-09) Esther Smits; Rob Kuijpers; Justin Amos Miteng; David Deng Chol; Turo Thomas Mono; Nicola Francesconi
Seed aid—or free distribution of seeds to farmers—is a popular intervention to simultaneously reduce food insecurity and dependency on food aid in fragile countries. However, seed aid distribution also has the potential to hinder or distort the development of local seed markets. In this study we analyze the targeting and impact of seed aid across the green belt (cutting across the southern/equatorial states) of South Sudan. Using a primary and unique dataset on 1,990 farm households, we find that seed aid is widely rather than selectively distributed. Almost a third of farm households receive seed aid despite the general availability of locally recycled seed varieties. Seed aid distribution does not seem to favor particularly poor, vulnerable and food insecure households, but those that are embedded in community networks, organizations and institutions. Using a double robust methodology based on Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA), we also find that the adoption of seed aid by farm households does not result in increased maize production, as it is neither associated with agricultural intensification nor with the expansion of cultivated land. Seed aid seems to substitute rather than supplement local seed varieties. These findings emphasize a lack of intentionality in seed aid distribution. Still, it must be noted that the effectiveness of seed aid distribution may be greater outside our study area, above the green belt, where conflicts and natural disasters remain more frequent and intense, and where farmers are more likely to be seed insecure. But overall, this study supports the widespread perception that South Sudan is ready for a transition towards a market-based seed distribution system.
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Annual Report 2023
(2024) IFDC
In 2023, IFDC achieved notable progress in advancing sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing food security globally. This report highlights the organization's robust financial support, motivated staff, and impactful programs, such as the successful 2SCALE initiative and the newly launched BRIGHT project in Uganda. Significant investments in infrastructure and innovative research have strengthened IFDC’s operational capacity, enabling effective soil health restoration and improved nutrient management strategies. By fostering collaborative partnerships and engaging smallholder farmers, IFDC continues to cultivate resilience against climate change and promote economic growth in farming communities. Looking ahead, IFDC is committed to leveraging these advancements to ensure sustainable food systems that benefit both people and the environment.
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Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges
(2020-9-24)
The Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, organized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), aim to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative fertilizer technologies that enhance corn production while minimizing environmental impacts. These initiatives are supported by key stakeholders including The Fertilizer Institute, the International Fertilizer Development Center, The Nature Conservancy, and the National Corn Growers Association. The challenges focus on two main areas: the Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers (EEFs) Challenge, which seeks existing solutions that improve nutrient management without compromising yield or increasing costs, and the Next Gen Fertilizer Innovations Challenge, which encourages novel technologies not yet on the market. Both challenges emphasize the importance of improving nutrient use efficiency to foster sustainable agriculture, support farmers' profitability, and protect environmental health.
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Innovations in the Mechanization of Fertilizer Deep Placement
(2023-04-18) Upendra Singh; Yashpal Singh Saharawat
Fertilizers are crucial for enhancing crop productivity, significantly contributing to India's agricultural growth amidst limited arable land and irrigation resources. Despite a 14-fold increase in fertilizer consumption, nutrient use efficiency (NUE) in India remains critically low at less than 30%, resulting in substantial economic and environmental losses. To address these challenges, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), in collaboration with various stakeholders, has developed an innovative seed-and-fertilizer drill as part of the Assessment of State Fertilizer Scenario and Promoting Efficient Nutrient Management (ASPEN) project. This machine facilitates fertilizer deep placement (FDP), optimizing the application of NPK briquettes at an ideal depth of 5-6 cm, which improves rice productivity by 30% while reducing nitrogen losses and labor demands. The initiative not only promotes sustainable agricultural practices but also aims to transition farmers to an incentive-based production system through potential carbon credit opportunities.